Notes on calendars, travel, and two important upcoming stories

CALENDARS: First, I want to thank everyone who ordered the 2013 Josh Skeptic Calendar. I especially want to thank Dr. Michael Mann, whose hilarious conspiracy theory outburst sold more calendars than Josh or I ever could have hoped to. Like President Obama has sold more firearms in America with his missives, so it goes with Dr. Mann.

Second, I want to apologize to everyone who ordered a calendar.

Why? Because I’m behind in getting them all shipped. Two things have conspired to prevent them from getting out in a timely manner. The first is simply family obligations and other holiday related issues, including days off at the printer and shipping companies, simply taking available time away. The second is the Paypal account used to take the orders. I have to make a separate transaction for filling each order, and Paypal for security reasons, limits me to 30 transactions per day. I’ve asked for a waiver, and they cannot. So even though I could get these all shipped in a day of marathon order processing, I’m throttled by the financial instrument.

Calendars shipped last week and will also be shipping tomorrow, I ask your patience.

For those that want a 2013 Josh Skeptic Calendar, follow the link. I’m going to leave the order process open until next Sunday, January 13th. For the UK and Europe, plus other countries than the USA, see Josh’s web page to order there as the printer I use does not have the ability to ship outside the USA.

TRAVEL: for the first time since starting WUWT in 2006, I will be attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to look for new business opportunities in 2013. While Michael Mann and others imagine “big oil” and money loaded think tanks funding WUWT, the reality is that it is self-funded and done with the help of things like Google adwords, donations, and calendar sales. Having never had to bootstrap anything in his life, relying on the government to pay his way, it is easy to see how Mann and others fall into this thinking trap. The other reality is that had I not started WUWT, I’d be much further along with my business and far more successful than I am. Steve McIntyre and I both remarked about this during our dinner at AGU in December (see photo at the link). He’s getting back to more mining consulting, I’m going to spend more time on my own business as well this year.

The travel this week means I’ll be offline during most working hours, posting will be light, and limited to early mornings and evening, provided I’m not too exhausted from all the walking.

UPCOMING STORIES: Tonight sometime after 6PM PST, I’ll be posting the first of two important stories about some startling things I have discovered about the US surface temperature record. One issue revolves around what the National Climatic Data Center reports to the public and to the press not holding up once it is scrutinized. The press never looks at the details they get fed it seems, which is an effect of their day-to-day deadline oriented nature. Once you look at it though, you realize something is just not right.

The issues I discovered were a pure case of serendipity, I didn’t go looking for them, they found me while I was researching for the second story described below. Worse, it isn’t just a one-off example, but is systemic. NCDC may have to issue some retractions, or at the very least, explain themselves. There may also be violations of the Federal Data Quality Act going on, but I’ll leave that to the lawmakers and Congress to decide.

The second story also revolves around NCDC data, and has some surprises. I expect it will post Monday night or Tuesday sometime. I’m still wrapping up details.

Don’t miss these, as there’s something for everyone, no matter which side of the climate issue you are on.

Good luck with all you do, Anthony. The business side of life is hugely important. At the same time, this side of your life has been – and will continue to be – hugely important, too. What you’ve done here over the years is now changing the world. We owe you so much.

You didn’t send a freebie calendar to Al Gore???? Oh boy. Are you in big cawcaw.
And between your business and this excellent blog, please do not forget the most important things in your life….family and friends.

REPLY: I couldn’t figure out which of his many homes to send it to so he’d receive it by Christmas, so I didn’t send one. – Anthony

In March 2010, United States Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen announced that the Polar Star would receive a $62 million dollar overhaul at Seattle’s Todd Pacific shipyard. The United States Coast Guard planned for the the overhaul to be complete by December 2012 and on 14 December 2012, the USCG announced the re-activation of the Polar Star. The overhaul of the Polar Star, completed by Vigor Industrial shipyard (formerly Todd Pacific shipyard), cost US$57 million. The Polar Star will undergo testing in 2013 prior to returning to service.

Indeed all the very best, Anthony for 2013. May I say, from the British side of the pond, that WUWT is a wonderful example of the real ‘special relationship’ across that pond. Real truth seeking unites without forcing anything.

Sir,
I use the term of address in its English meaning, which is that of respect; I admire the entire WUWT team, Anthony, the all important and very light-handed moderators and the contributors (Cheers, Willis) to this invaluable resource.
You have achieved world-wide fame and world-wide recognition. Not bad for an amateur Californian blogger!!

Also, from the eastern side of “the Pond,” let me add my thanks and best wishes to Anthony, his family and the moderators for all they do. Please be aware how much it is appreciated by those of us who value democracy (which is missing in Article 21 and in the European “Union”), truth (which is missing in the MET Office and HADCRU) and honsety (which is missing in all the Political areas, including IPCC, UN, EU and most governments).

Without exaggeration, you lead the fight for Democracy and the free world. How much more important can it be?

Re finding errors in the past record, here’s one I’m following through, need an answer from China. When in China in 1995 I was told that for scientific purposes, China has but one time zone over its rather long E-W distance. I wonder how this affects temperature adjustments taken under the older system of Tmean = half of Tmax +Tmin, also TOBS. Some countries like Australia, it is thought, send monthly means calculated this way to USA for blending into global bases. I wonder what China does?

Anthony, everyone has their own definition of success. But according to my definition, you and WUWT are wildly successful. I’m happy that you and folks like Steve M. have been fighting against the AGW nonsense. Where would we be without you? My sincerest and most heart felt appreciation and “THANKS!” go out to you and the entire WUWT team!

Anthony
I have watched this site grow and GROW over the years, The quality and variety of interesting things makes it a must visit each day. I also congratulate you for the quality of the scientific and technical discussions, I am really enjoying the depth and breadth of the discussions, its a real learning experience to sit in on those conversations between scientists who know their subject and to see how well they deal with the disrupters who have no real interest in genuine scientific research, and a complete contrast with other sites who censor content to fit their own agenda.

Wattsupwiththat .com IS the place to come and test ideas and scientific theories in civil discussions, its really gone to a new and higher level of learning, and that is a credit to you and your volunteers who do the difficult job of maintaining order, without heavy handed intervention.
When I see the nasty nitpicking and rudeness, not to mention outright blatent and biased censorship on other arrogant sites, this site is a real pleasure.

Keep up the good work and god bless you and your family with good health and happiness throughout the year..

Anthony you and the wuwt.com mods are a success.
You know the team cringes when they hear from another team member in casual conversation the words, “I hear Watts is running a review of your latest paper.” “Yeah, seems Steve M found a flaw in your math and they’re discussing it at wattsupwiththat.”
That puts worry in their life for some reason.
You perform a service and do an excellent job providing that service.
thank you
cn

Read the Advanced Climate Modelling report NAS put out recently. If we couple that with the adoption of systems thinking by the EPA to try to plan the future, the Belmont Challenge going operational this year (2013), and that USGCRP 2012-2021 report I have been so concerned with, actual data is far less important apparently than models.

Unfortunately the models too often are based largely on wishful thinking, political theories, and aspirations for economic power and control. All while living at taxpayer expense.

Jon says:
January 6, 2013 at 4:02 pm
What do you mean by this statement? “Like President Obama has sold more firearms in America with his missives”
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Chuckle !!!
What is now called a “low information voter”.

Anthony,
I wish I had the resources or the power to make you the financial success you deserve to be. But be assured, you are quite successful.
You sir, have done what very few will ever do. You have truly changed the world. And for that you have my thanks.

re: Jon says: January 6, 2013 at 4:02 pm
What do you mean by this statement? “Like President Obama has sold more firearms in America with his missives”

A friend of mine owns a gun shop. Even though he is a strongly conservative republican he tells me he loves Obama. His gun sales “go through the roof” every time Obama makes a speech. And he told me this two years ago!

I am very much enjoying my calendar, received as an Xmass gift from my wife, who was smart, and ordered early. I have it on my office wall. Well. break’s over. Back to goblet-making (it’s magic don’t you know….).

Thanks for the calendar. I got one as a gift, and was so impressed with the process I made one of our own pictures for my wife for Christmas.

I once worked for big oil, and still get monthly checks from some old oil wells (ok, to get those you have to work for small oil). In the tip jar is 10% of my December production. It is only $50, but maybe it can be used to prove just what a shill for the oil biz you really are! Maybe MM can tweet about it.

Anthony: One would think you’d be able to get sponsors… more of them. Is it that you want to remain pure and not accept any moneys that you may be beholden too? I think you are a man of great integrity and appreciate this site very much. Can you ask of us to help out in some way?

Someone wrote “The business side of life is hugely important” This is a business, at least I thought that (not in any negative sense) but the draw is large and you should reap significant monetary value for this incredible source of truthful debate.